Chickens and the cat

[BlessedCountry6]

Cats will take chicks as they are small. Most cats won't take on standard sized adult chicken; an occasional cat will go for small bantams. Your run should be covered to keep out all the critters who like chicken; hawks, raccoons, possums, the list goes on... Some losses may be unavoidable, but it will be ugly if things aren't secure, especially at night. Mary

sorry, I had a typo in my post and it sounded like I was the OP and I was just trying to say I had talked to my sister the night before about cat proof fenceing. sorry about that!

 

[Coralietg]

We live in a rural area where people are "kind" enough to drop their unwanted cats. We had a lot of giant toms around. Until we started having younger chickens go missing. 5 weeks old to smaller Bantams. We got a trap and caught three huge cats the first 48 hours. We've never had a cat bother a full grown hen, but they will go after smaller ones.

 

[chickenmad129]

Hi,
We are getting bantams so they would be easy prey I guess. Here is a picture of my garden where the grass starts is where we are now putting electric fencing that is 1.2m high. On the fence will be spikes. Would this stop the cats from getting in?

 

[enola]

I just disposed of a male feral cat that got an adult leghorn size hen 3 nights in a row before trapping him.

Cats can and will kill adult chickens.......

 

[chickenmad129]

I just disposed of a male feral cat that got an adult leghorn size hen 3 nights in a row before trapping him.

Cats can and will kill adult chickens.......

The cats are house cats and not feral, it's just that my neighbour has a largish grey cat visit her now and then and will not budge even if you make a loud noise. I have been told that dogs put cats off and my dog starts barking as soon as you mention 'cat' to him! We never really had a cat venture into our garden but I don't want to take any risks. Also I live in England in a part where their is well fed and well looked after cats. So if the cats are house cats would it be less unlikely to attack my chicks?

 

[Folly's place]

Some cats will hunt more enthusiastically than others, well fed on not. It's individual. Chicks are at risk, adult chickens are safer. Electric poultry netting should work great. My birds are in a very safe coop every night; that's the most important thing! Mary

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

I had a momma cat with kittens last year--she went into the run and got a baby marans for her baby--I found her 6 week old baby eating it--then she proceeded to take the kittens in there to learn to hunt. We immediately rehomed her and all the kittens--no thanks!

 

[bobbi-j]

No one can say for sure that they will or will not be a problem as every animal is different. But as many others have already said, cats are likely to attack your chicks. Even well fed house cats like to play with little feathery critters. So, to make it simple - yes. The cats will probably be a problem. They may not have ventured into your yard yet because they haven't had a reason. Chicken nuggets may be enough of a reason for them to come visit. Along with whatever other creatures you may have there. Chickens are at the bottom of the food chain, and attract all kinds of other animals. Hence, the reason you have been advised to cover your run.

 

[teneyck farms]

we have several barn cats that are well fed and didn't try to get any of the bantams that were in a large insulated shed and the cats were able to go in there and did no try to kill the bantams, for chicks we kept a wire lid on the brooder, and then put them in a chicken coop with a covered run. it was not cat proof at all and the 2 month old pullets were not harmed by the cats


good luck i hope this helps

 

[chickenmad129]

Hi,
Thanks for all your brill advice! Just wondering what is the minimum age you should get chicks and is 6 week too early? Thank you!